I first learnt Morse Code or CW when I was 19 years old. I remember learning it... but I don't exactly remember HOW I learnt it if you see what I mean. I have memories of a Morse code tutor program on a borrowed ZX81 computer (remember those?). I remember Morse code practice sessions at the weekly radio club meetings in Port Talbot. In fact I seem to remember this Morse business went along fairly easily, and before I knew it I had passed the 12 words per minute test, as was required in those days and I earned my full UK licence.
Its not as if I threw away the key, and forgot all about Morse (as many did after gaining HF access). No sir, I promised the amateur who taught me CW that my first QSO on the HF bands would be on CW, and it was, on 40 metres. I went on to use CW fairly frequently after that. Of course at that time I was somewhat younger- about 22 years younger in fact!
Over the passage of time there have been times when I wasn't active on the HF bands, house moves, relationships etc etc meant that at times I was a fairly inactive radio amateur. When I did eventually get re established with an HF station I guess my confidence in CW operating had gone and I became an SSB and latterly data modes enthusiast.
So this year as I mentioned a little while back it is my intention to get back on the air with CW. Now It shouldn't be that hard-should it? I remembered most of the code-so its just a matter of practise and getting my speed up! Its funny but I don't rememer first time around having problems confusing the letter B with the number 6, the letter H with 5 and so on- but I am having those problems now!!
As much as I hate to admit it but it must be AGE. I am someone who has been lucky to enjoy good physical health, in fact I don't feel much different in that way to how I felt 20 years ago. But my brain obviously does! Still I will keep plugging away at the CW. This time however, when I do get my CW up to speed I will be making sure I practice enough to keep it that way.
I remember the ZX81 very well, Kevin. I wonder if the program you used was the one I wrote, which was published in an article in Short Wave Magazine?
ReplyDeleteHello Kevin, I recognize what you wrote. I was also many years QRT (almost 28 years) I lost my CW skills, what means: my decoding speed was dropped down. The morse code itself was still in my head. I wasn't forgotten the code. What I do now is listen a lot to CW and make QSO's with it. Slowly my decoding speed is going up. I use also Fldigi for CW for sending the code: sometimes just like PSK31 with macros or just only with the keyboard. For decoding I use Fldigi and my EARS. I need to hear the code myself. The screen decoding is only a help. And yes, now we are getting older, everything goes slowly. Good luck, 73 Paul
ReplyDeleteHi Julian,
ReplyDeleteI can't be 100% certain but I think it was your program I used. I remember having to input a short program into the ZX81 from a magazine article. It it was yours then a belated thank you as it helped me get my "A licence"!
Hi Paul,
Like you I am also listening to CW on the air when I can and it helps. I think that when I get back on the air myself using CW I might use a CW decoder program on the PC just as a backup.
73 De Kevin